Discover the durability and versatility of Stick Welding (SMAW) with our detailed guides and expert insights. Perfect for outdoor, heavy-duty, and repair work, this category explores everything from electrode selection and machine settings to striking an arc, maintaining stability, and achieving clean welds. Whether you’re welding on the farm, in the shop, or out in the field, you’ll find the knowledge and techniques needed to take your Stick Welding skills to the next level.
Getting the right stick welding amperage for metal thickness can be tricky — run too cold, and your rod sticks or the weld just sits on top; go too hot, and you’ll blow through the metal or lose control of…
Welding thin metal with an arc welder is one of those skills that’ll really test your patience — and your touch. I’ve burned through my fair share of sheet metal trying to get that perfect bead. The challenge with stick…
Getting the stick welder settings just right can make or break your weld. Too cold, and the bead just sits on top; too hot, and you’re burning through your metal before you even get started. That’s where a good stick…
When I first started running beads with a stick welder, one of the biggest questions that threw me off was, “should you push or pull stick welding?” What seemed like a small detail quickly proved to be a make-or-break factor…
Thin sheet warps fast and blows through even faster. With the right rod, polarity, and travel, stick welding thin metal is not only doable—it’s practical for field repairs and small shops. To stick weld thin sheet metal, use small-diameter E6013…
First time I tried to weld stainless steel with a stick welder — I was confident, but the reality hit fast. The arc kept running too hot, my bead looked messy, and the stainless warped more than I expected. That’s…
When my stick welder refused to strike an arc, I quickly realized how fast a simple job can turn into pure frustration. You’ve got the metal cleaned up, the filler rods ready, and the machine powered on, yet the electrode…
If you’ve ever been in the middle of a stick welding project and suddenly blown a hole through your metal, you know the frustration of burn through. It’s one of those welding defects that can stop you in your tracks,…
When I first struck an arc with a small 70 amp stick welder, I quickly realized that it’s not about having the biggest machine in the shop—it’s about technique. The arc wanted to stick, the filler rods burned fast, and…
I’ve spent countless hours in the shop wrestling with stick welding problems, and let me tell you, nothing feels more frustrating than watching your weld bead fall apart just as you think you’re getting the hang of it. Whether it’s…